Samsung Plasma and 16x9 issues

[nbk13nw]

Thanks in advance for any and all comments that may help with this issue:

Some quick background...

I am running a Samsung SP-P4231 Plasma EDTV, Motorola 6200 (STB), Denon AVR-2805, Sony 655 and 325 DVD (Swap occasionally while troubleshooting).

Currently the Denon is only processing sound from all sources.

I recently had an issue arise concerning the "scrunching" of the 16x9 format in both HD signals and DVD signals, regardless of the settings of both devices. When I first hooked the DVD to the Samsung using the component cables, everything was fine. 16x9 with the proper formatted DVD filled the screen and it looked wonderful. At this time I was using the RF connector for digital cable. Once I received an HD STB (Motorola 6200) and wired it into the mix. I used Component out to the Denon from the STB and component out from the DVD to the Denon as well. Using the Denon as the A/V switch, I noticed that although he HD signal was full screen in 16x9, all of my DVD signals regardless of the widescreen format (aspect) were showing in letterbox but with the "scrunchy" look to them as if my ex-mother in law was sitting on top of the TV.

I removed the Denon from the mix and found that separately the inputs from the STB and the DVD sources looked fine on the Samsung. I then used an S-Video output from the DVD and the component output from the STB and again, everything looked fine. That is until this morning.

I decided to see if the DVI output on the STB (Cox Cable) was working. I had called yesterday and received the quick response that it would not work. But, as we all know, they are usually wrong. Anyway, I used a DVI-D (Single Link) from my LCD and hooked it up from the STB to the TV. Initially, the signal was wonderful and filled the entire screen in 16x9 mode. But once I previewed the DVD, it looked great too, and then switched back to HD TV, the signal went back to letterbox / scrunchy.

Since this time I have tried several things, all component cables, DVI only, component only, switched cables, checked all settings to the TV, STB and DVD. No change and now I am out of ideas. Any help would be appreciated.
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Samsung SP-P4231 Plasma
Denon AVR-3805
Denon DVD-2910
Sony DVP-NC665P
Paradigm Monitor 7
Paradigm CC-270
Paradigm Monitor 3
Paradigm ADP-170
Paradigm PDR-12

 

[Mort Corey]

From your description it would seem that the problem is with the display panel. It sounds as if, when inputs are changed, it's changing something in the aspect ratio settings. I'm using a Motorola 6200 STB via DVI to a PDP and true HD channels stay at 16:9. I'm guessing that you've been into the STB setup (white) screen and have it set to 1080i (or 720p) and 16:9 screen with 480 override.

Does the display have Wide, Cinema, Zoom or some such settings that may be changing?

Mort

 

[nbk13nw]

I want to thank you for getting me back on track. It seems that somehow the settings in the STB had changed to "Letterbox", once it was set to 16x9, the issue cleared. Funny, I went through my lil checklist several times and never checked the STB. Thanks again.